In conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the Tauranga City Council is advising people to flush their taps out before taking drinking water first thing in the morning.

Some plumbing fittings have the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours.

Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends people flush a mug full of water from the drinking water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, February 21, published below.

City Waters

Water Supply

• The water main upgrade on Marine Parade is complete and works on the Grove Avenue watermain upgrade are now also substantially complete, with some reinstatement still to finish.
• The water main upgrade in the Matua area has commenced with works currently underway in Woods Ave, Maxine Place and Strathmore Street.
• Valves in the Matua area have been inspected and remedial work currently being undertaken, as part of a city wide project.
• Remedial works are being carried out on pipe bridges over the Waiorahi stream, as a result of damage during the recent storms.

Drainage

• There were four (4) sewer blockages attended to this week. One was with a contractor working on the stormwater pump station site off Maxwells Road found the abandoned harbor outfall pipeline. Two were single property service faults and one being a major deliberate act of vandalism which caused a medium sized overflow to the Waimapu estuary. This incident was where someone had blocked the network pipe with rocks by dumping these in a manhole. Rocks were cleared by 2pm on Thursday. Four pump stations around the city had to be shut down to allow the work to go ahead. Temporary health warning signs have been placed out at various locations.
• A contractor carrying out thrusting works of installing cable ducting off Marshall Avenue pierced one of the two sewer pump rising main pipes (375mm diameter) servicing the Lakes development. Repairs are now complete and required about 20m of pipe was replaced.
• Works on removing silts from four stormwater ponds continues. These ponds have been in use for a number of years and need the build up of silt removed to restore them to original dimensions and storage. The ponds are off Bateleur Close, Resolution Road, Waipuna Grove and Waiorakei Way.
• A damaged wastewater pipeline has been identified in Norton Road following repeat blockage incidents. Repairs scheduled to commence next week.
• A number of open drains and stormwater ponds are scheduled to be cleaned of aquatic weed in various locations around the city over the next six weeks.
• Biosecurity Threat: A very noxious weed named ‘Alligator weed' has been recently identified in the Carmichael Stormwater Reserve. TCC and EBOP are working quickly to control this very invasive weed. At this stage it is believed to be located only at a specific area within the reserve and it is hoped that it can be contained and eradicated quickly.

Stormwater Pollution

• One pollution incident this week was reported which involved the discharge of milk processing waste into the open drain at Maleme Street. Follow up is being undertaken by both TCC and BOPRC Pollution Prevention Officers.
• A second more minor incident was reported concerning the ongoing discharges from a local waste disposal company during transport of waste. Pollution prevention officers will follow this up.
• Pollution Prevention Audits of 400 food premises to check the condition and maintenance of grease traps and waste food oil storage are almost complete.
• Audits of around 170 auto workshops will begin in two weeks.

Southern Pipeline

• Pipe laying in Oropi Road is progressing away from the Maleme Street junction.
• Works in Devonport Road between 12th & 15th Avenue continue.
• Works in Devonport Road between 18th & 15th Avenue have commenced.
• Works in Memorial Park continue.

City Projects

• Ground breaking and blessing was held at Grenada Park on Monday morning to mark the start of the Arataki Community Centre construction. Construction proper begins Monday 21 February.

• Former TS Chatham Building: Removal of the former TS Chatham building on the waterfront will start on Monday. The removal will take about two weeks and the main building will be removed in pieces. The lean-to section on the seaward side of the building will be demolished. The site will be reinstated afterwards.

Parks and Leisure

• The Tauranga BMX Club are holding an open day at their new track site at Cambridge Park (the old refuse tip site) on Saturday, February 19 between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.
• Temporary repairs completed to pedestrian bridge in Johnson Reserve.
• Design work is underway for the repair of the Beach Road Walkway.
• Vegetation maintenance contractors working furiously to keep up with the excessive growth conditions.
  • Routine six-monthly inspections are being carried out with the Floral Hanging Baskets, Tropical Display House (Robbins Park) and the Lakes.
  • Revegetation enhancement works are underway in Topaz and Elms Reserves.

Transportation

• Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline work continues on Devonport Road. A single lane is still operating at the intersection of 15th Avenue and Devonport Road. Pipe laying work has started on 18th Avenue between Fraser Street and Devonport Road and this section of road is open to residents only. The pipe laying will continue onto Devonport Road between 18th Avenue and 17th Avenue. Expect delays and please use an alternative route if possible.

• Esmeralda Street: Work to modify the existing two speed thresholds is expected to start this week. Please take care when driving through the area.
• Hairini Link Advanced Works: Work continues on the shared footpath at Burrows Street, 15th Avenue, Mayfield Street and Turret Road. Earth work for the new shared foot and cycle path around the Waimapu Estuary is underway. Construction of the pedestrian crossing at Burrows Street/15th Avenue also continues. Shoulder closures maybe in place.
• Inner City Bus Stops: Work on the new bus stop facilities on both sides of Willow Street is continuing. Please take particular care when walking or driving through the work area.

• Kairua Road: Work on the next stage of the reconstruction of Kairua Road is underway. Minor delays are possible.

• Maleme Street/ Oropi Road: Southern Pipeline pipe laying work continues from the intersection of Maleme Street along Oropi Road. Expect lane closures and delays. Please take extreme care when driving through this area and use an alternative route if possible.

• Pyes Pa Bypass: Traffic travelling in both directions on State Highway 36, Pyes Pa Road, will be diverted next week onto one side of the new roundabout, being built to connect the new Pyes Pa Bypass to State Highway 36. As the new roundabout is about two metres lower than the existing road, a significant amount of earth needs to be excavated to complete it. The work is programmed to take eight weeks and the roundabout is expected to be finished in April.

• Tara Road: The new roundabout at the intersection of Doncaster Drive and Tara Road will be sealed this week. Please take care and expect delays.

• Welcome Bay Road: Work to create a new inset bus bay on the northern side of Welcome Bay Road opposite Greenwood Park Village is expected to start this week. Please take care when driving through this area.

Democracy

Council - Monday 21 February at 1.00 pm

· Petitions Received – Noise Control Papamoa, Parking Restrictions at Pacific Avenue and Speed Restrictions at Oropi Downs

• Infrastructure Development Code: Hearing and Other Matters
• 2010 Triennial Election
• The Elms Foundation Proposal
• Establishment of a Project Steering Group for the Historic Village
• Off-Street Parking and New Road Link, Mt Maunganui
• Pedestrian Crossing - Maunganui
• Amendments to the Schedules of the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2007 and Parking Bylaw 2007 regarding parking restrictions.
• Proposed Declaration as Road, Stopping and Reclassification of Road Reserve - Ashley Place, Papamoa
• Declare Land to be a Reserve & Re-Classify Existing Local Purpose Reserves McLaren Falls Park
• Land Exchange - Taiaho Place Reserve & Whareroa Marae Land
• Proposed Stopping & Sale of the Unformed Portion of Mansfield Street, Ohauiti

· Schedule of Documents Executed Under Seal .

Hearing before Comissioner - Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 February at 9.00 am (both days)

Publicly Notified Application for Land Use Consent Under the Resource Management Act 1991 at 1 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui, (RC15356)

Summary

• To hear and determine a public notified land use consent application pursuant to Section 88 of the Resource Management Act 1991 made by Tauranga City Aquatics Limited (TCAL).

Report Outline:

• This report considers and makes a concluding recommendation to grant land use consent for the proposed redevelopment and expansion of the Mount Maunganui Hot Saltwater Pools, involving the refurbishment and expansion along the Adams Avenue frontage in order to provide a range of new family and therapy pools, new change areas and amenities, upgraded plant and the addition of a Wellness Centre and Cafe. The proposal involves a shortfall in the number of onsite car parking spaces and is located within the Conservation Zone.

Strategy & Policy - Tuesday 22 February 2011

1. Petition Received – Vegetation and Tree Management (Anglican
Cemetery Kaka Street) (DC 54)

This report contains information from staff in response to a petition being presented at this meeting.

2. Active Reserves (Sports Parks) Level of Service Review -
Discussion One (DC 24)

To introduce, discuss and provide direction on the process and information that will be used to determine what the future provision of active reserves (sports parks) and associated level of service should be.

3. Council Submission on 'Building Competitive Cities” Document
(DC 16)

The Purpose of the Report is to provide a copy of the TCC submission, submitted under delegated authority, to the Ministry for the Environment on their recent discussion document 'Building Competitive Cities”.

4. Report Back on Petition Received - Tree Removal or Topping
Elizabeth St (DC 44)

This report contains information from staff in response to a petition being presented at this meeting.

5. Joint TCC/TCAL Aquatics Strategy Discussion Document for
Public Consultation (DC 53)

To consider the adoption of the joint TCC/TCAL Aquatics Strategy discussion document for public consultation.